A Changing World and a New AAPG

摘要

"The only certainty in geology is the unexpected will happen" is a bit of wisdom my friend and mentor John Shelton likes to quote. If anything, in this environment, it's an understatement. AAPG, our members and industry were hit with the perfect storm: COVID-19, geopolitics and commodity prices. Of course, I don't need to tell you about it. We have all adjusted to a new world, which includes quarantines, masks, eating in, ordering out, Zoom, MS Teams, etc. The dogs love it, the cats hate it. It's been tough on all of us and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families, especially those who have lost loved ones. So ... how does all this impact your society? The answer is we have taken a critical cut in revenue and I want all members to understand the severe impact to your society. Ten years ago, AAPG had a three-legged revenue stool: education, EXPLORER advertising, and conferences and meetings. Starting this fiscal year, last July, we had a one-legged revenue stool: conferences. Going into March this year, the budget looked very good with the first significant surplus in years. We were all happy because we had planned so well.